Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary Celebrations
For the Golden Gate Bridge's 75th anniversary, San Francisco threw a monumental party over Memorial Day Weekend 2012, topped by a stunning fireworks and light show. But since this is the world's most photographed bridge and it's reached a milestone birthday, the hoopla for the GGB stretches well beyond May 2012. Hikes and films, contests and concerts, exhibits and even desserts, all related to the bridge, are offered through the fall and are mostly listed on the GGB anniversary website. Here's a sampling of the many 75th anniversary activities and events in the Bay Area.
Readings, talks and crafts-making sessions revolve around the Golden Gate Bridge. In On Location: The Golden Gate Bridge on the Silver Screen, for example, author and former librarian Jim Van Buskirk shows both hilarious and horrifying depictions of the GGB, which has starred in more movies than any other US architectural landmark; the presentation is at Noe Valley branch on June 9 and other branches on subsequent dates.
At San Francisco Public Library and its branches. Free.More »
This retrospective of the Golden Gate Bridge's storied film career covers classics (like Vertigo, on June 16), action flicks (Superman: The Movie, on June 9) and animation (Monsters vs. Aliens, on Sept. 15).
In the Presidio, at the Main Post Green at dusk (about 8:30 pm), and at the Walt Disney Family Museum's theater, 104 Montgomery St., at 6 pm. Free.More »
Donald MacDonald--the only bridge architect who's worked on the Golden Gate Bridge since its original architect in 1937--talks about the bridge's design and its continuous tweaking, including seismic retrofits and suicide prevention ideas. (MacDonald's drawing of a bridge tower is imprinted on a long silk scarf sold at the Bridge Pavilion).
At the California Historical Society, 678 Mission St., San Francisco 94105. RSVPs encouraged. Free. More »
International Orange Chorale reprises the winner of its Golden Gate Bridge 75th anniversary composition competition, Chrysopylae,, written by a Texas community college music professor, which it unveiled at the GGB's birthday gala on May 27. It also performs several other newly commissioned pieces.
At venues in San Francisco. Free, but donations welcome.
More »
Half-hour specials about the history and building of the Golden Gate Bridge are aired on KNTV channel 11 and cable channel 3 on Comcast.More »
A 13-foot-long toothpick version of the Golden Gate--made of glue and 30,000 toothpicks--was built by a Daly City man for the bridge's 50th birthday. It's part of a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! exhibit in the hotel lobby.
At the Hyatt Regency San Francisco, 5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco 94114. Free.
More »
This contest run by the San Francisco Parks Alliance is looking for the best photos of the GGB taken from any San Francisco park.More »
Here's an athlete's idea of Golden Gate Bridge fun: Board a boat at Fort Point, get dumped into the bay, swim to the north end of the GGB, and scamper up the hill from Fort Baker. Then turn around and head in the direction you just came from, but this time run on the bridge, along Crissy Field and the waterfront, past Fort Mason to Aquatic Park and the South End Rowing Club. The swim is about 1.6 miles and the run about 6 miles; participants must be able to swim an open-water mile in 40 minutes or less.
Registration $150. Includes boat ride, boat-escorted swim and lunch celebration at South End Rowing Club.More »
An exhibit of the best-sellers and the books written by California authors circa 1937, including first editions, photographs and ephemera.
At the San Francisco Public Library. Free.
More »
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, known for its Mondrian-inspired cake and other artful treats, offers GGB-themed desserts.
At the Blue Bottle Coffee Bar, SFMOMA Rooftop Garden. Access to coffee bar requires museum admission.
More »
•The Golden Gate Bridge at the San Francisco Library
June & JulyReadings, talks and crafts-making sessions revolve around the Golden Gate Bridge. In On Location: The Golden Gate Bridge on the Silver Screen, for example, author and former librarian Jim Van Buskirk shows both hilarious and horrifying depictions of the GGB, which has starred in more movies than any other US architectural landmark; the presentation is at Noe Valley branch on June 9 and other branches on subsequent dates.
At San Francisco Public Library and its branches. Free.More »
•The Bridge on the Big Screen
Various dates, now through Sept. 15This retrospective of the Golden Gate Bridge's storied film career covers classics (like Vertigo, on June 16), action flicks (Superman: The Movie, on June 9) and animation (Monsters vs. Aliens, on Sept. 15).
In the Presidio, at the Main Post Green at dusk (about 8:30 pm), and at the Walt Disney Family Museum's theater, 104 Montgomery St., at 6 pm. Free.More »
•Golden Gate Bridge: History and Design of an Icon
June 14, at 6 pmDonald MacDonald--the only bridge architect who's worked on the Golden Gate Bridge since its original architect in 1937--talks about the bridge's design and its continuous tweaking, including seismic retrofits and suicide prevention ideas. (MacDonald's drawing of a bridge tower is imprinted on a long silk scarf sold at the Bridge Pavilion).
At the California Historical Society, 678 Mission St., San Francisco 94105. RSVPs encouraged. Free. More »
•Freshly Squeezed
June 22 at 5 pm; and June 23 at 8 pmInternational Orange Chorale reprises the winner of its Golden Gate Bridge 75th anniversary composition competition, Chrysopylae,, written by a Texas community college music professor, which it unveiled at the GGB's birthday gala on May 27. It also performs several other newly commissioned pieces.
At venues in San Francisco. Free, but donations welcome.
More »
•NBC Bay Area Specials
Various dates in JuneHalf-hour specials about the history and building of the Golden Gate Bridge are aired on KNTV channel 11 and cable channel 3 on Comcast.More »
•Toothpick Golden Gate Bridge
Through June 30A 13-foot-long toothpick version of the Golden Gate--made of glue and 30,000 toothpicks--was built by a Daly City man for the bridge's 50th birthday. It's part of a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! exhibit in the hotel lobby.
At the Hyatt Regency San Francisco, 5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco 94114. Free.
More »
•Park Views of the Golden Gate Bridge
Opens July 1This contest run by the San Francisco Parks Alliance is looking for the best photos of the GGB taken from any San Francisco park.More »
•Golden Gate Bridge Splash & Dash
July 14, at 8 am-1:30 pmHere's an athlete's idea of Golden Gate Bridge fun: Board a boat at Fort Point, get dumped into the bay, swim to the north end of the GGB, and scamper up the hill from Fort Baker. Then turn around and head in the direction you just came from, but this time run on the bridge, along Crissy Field and the waterfront, past Fort Mason to Aquatic Park and the South End Rowing Club. The swim is about 1.6 miles and the run about 6 miles; participants must be able to swim an open-water mile in 40 minutes or less.
Registration $150. Includes boat ride, boat-escorted swim and lunch celebration at South End Rowing Club.More »
•Bridging Minds: San Francisco Reads, 1933-1937
Through July 14An exhibit of the best-sellers and the books written by California authors circa 1937, including first editions, photographs and ephemera.
At the San Francisco Public Library. Free.
More »
•Golden Gate Desserts
Through August 31The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, known for its Mondrian-inspired cake and other artful treats, offers GGB-themed desserts.
At the Blue Bottle Coffee Bar, SFMOMA Rooftop Garden. Access to coffee bar requires museum admission.
More »
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